Betaal Pachisi - Story 17 - Unsuccessful penance of Gunkar

Vikrama tries again to catch vetala. After several attempts he succeeds and starts taking him to the ascetic. Vetala starts narrating him a story so that they can easily complete the long journey once again but warns him not to speak anything else he will go back to his place again. He begins narrating story about son of a poor priest whose name was Gunkar. He had a bad habit of stealing money from home and used it for gambling. Poor priest had taken some money from moneylender which Gunkar stole one day. When moneylender asked for money he could not repay. As a result, priest’s wife gave her jewelry to the moneylender to get free of the debt. Gunkar on the other side continued to gamble with money and lost it completely. Fed of Gunkar, his father asked him to leave the home.

Gunkar was roaming in the village when he was spotted by a sage. Sage took pity on him and brought him to his abode. Gunkar was really hungry and requested for food. Sage using his magical powers arranged for the food. Sage arranged all the comforts for Gunkar and asked him to rest. Gunkar was surprised to see all the comforts and asked sage how this is happening. Sage told him about the magical powers which he possesses. Sage offered him to stay at his place for a week if he is fine with that. After that he would be required to leave. Gunkar agreed for the same. Gunkar enjoyed all the comforts for a week and requested sage to bestow the magical powers on him too. Sage told Gunkar that he would be required to undergo training for the same which is really tough. This is divided in two phases. Gunkar readily agreed for the same. Gunkar completed first phase of his training and requested sage to allow him to go to his place to meet his parents. Sage agreed for the same and gave him money and gifts for his parents and siblings. Gunkar left for his hometown. He gave gifts to all of them. He told them about the training he is undergoing. His family was really happy to see him.

After few days, Gunkar returned to sage to complete his training. He completed this training with complete dedication. He informs sage about the same. Sage asks him to bring food for him as he is hungry. Gunkar tries to use the powers but is unable to arrange the food. He asks sage the reason for the same. At this point, vetala stops and asks Vikrama to tell why he did not get magical powers after completing the training. Vikrama replied that he did not complete his training successfully as he left for his hometown after first phase. No one can get the magical powers until we focus our complete attention on our goal. Greed, attachments to other things during training does not help in any way.

Vetala gets happy with Vikrama’s answer but he again flies back to his abode telling that he could not keep quite. Vikrama runs behind him again to catch him.

Moral : We should try to achieve our goals with complete focus and dedication.